In a novel reminiscent of the work of Maya Angelou and Ntozake Shange, Rita Coburn Whack tells the story of how a young womans spiritual awakening leads her to maturity and self-fulfillment. When Meant to Be opens, thirteen-year-old Patience Jan Campbell is called upon to read and interpret her favorite scripture for the church congregation: I think this scripture means that children know every shut eye aint sleep and every head bowed aint praying, so grown-ups aint fooling us or God. . . . So nobody should hold a child back from God just cause they may be having trouble finding Him.But a traumatic experience causes Jan to stumble and lose her voice. Unable to turn to those around her, she calls for her grandmother Hannahwho died before Jan was bornin prayer. Unbeknownst to Jan, Hannah does come, and through her wise eyes we follow Jan into her early twenties as she moves to the big city, goes to college, and begins a career. A reflective father, a misunderstood mother, a sage aunt, and two pivotal lovers all build emotional bridges that help Jan progress on her journey to womanhood.From the Trade Paperback edition.